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Maxine Builder

Editor, the Strategist
@maxine_builder
@maxine_builder
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Maxine Builder is the editor of the Strategist. She joined the site as a writer in 2017.

  1. food and kitchen
    The Best Dupes for Alice Waters’s Egg SpoonThe $250 hand-forged egg spoon is sold out, so here are some other tools you can use to cook eggs over an open fire.
  2. organization
    How to Remove Rug Stains, According to a Professional Carpet CleanerFrom animal fuzz to red wine, and pretty much everything in between.
  3. organization
    What’s in Cookbook Author Molly Yeh’s KitchenHow the cookbook author and food blogger keeps her kitchen looking picture-perfect without sacrificing function.
  4. organization
    How to Organize Your Kitchen and Pantry, According to Professional OrganizersMake the most of your tiny kitchen.
  5. coffee
    The Best Pour-Over Coffee Setups for Your Home, According to BaristasJust add beans and water.
  6. food
    The Best Easter Candy and Easter Chocolate, According to Chefs“There’s something kind of punk rock about nibbling the face off of a cartoon rabbit.”
  7. health
    Which Hangover Cures, Pills, and Patches Really Work, According to Science?The Strategist’s guide to the pills, patches, drinks, and IV drips that claim to make your hangovers less terrible.
  8. makeup
    What K-Beauty Products Are in a Professional Korean Makeup Artist’s Kit?How Seong Hee Park makes models’ skin look glowy, not greasy.
  9. cookware and utensils
    All the Kitchen Gear You Need to Cook Korean Food at HomeIncluding everything you need to make kimchee or set up an at-home barbecue.
  10. food
    The Best Korean Snacks and Candy, According to Korean ChefsThere’s so much more than honey-butter chips.
  11. alcohol
    The Best Wine Stoppers, According to Sommeliers and Beverage DirectorsNever again let wine go to waste.
  12. strat investigates
    Everything You Can Do to Prevent the Spread of FluIt’s not too late to get a flu shot. And wash your hands more.
  13. video
    The Best Digital Cameras, According to Professional InstagrammersBecause you don’t get hundreds of thousands of likes without knowing how to take a good photo.
  14. the best. really.
    13 New York Women on the Gifts They Want for Valentine’s DayIncluding a photographer who wants gold jewelry, a florist who wants perfume, and a PR executive who wants a new blanket.
  15. bath and body
    Everything You Need for a Japanese-Style Onsen Bath at HomeEven if you’re not a bath person, you can learn to take better baths from Japanese hot-spring culture.
  16. food
    The Best Valentine’s Day Candy and Chocolates, According to ChefsIncluding Champagne-flavored gummy bears and Scott Conant’s favorite Italian chocolates.
  17. luggage
    What Is the Smart-Luggage Ban (and What Smart Suitcase Should I Get)?The issue is with the battery, not the bag.
  18. home
    Is There Anything Wrong With Tap Water (and What Should You Buy to Filter It)?Instead of drinking raw water, get a water filter that actually works.
  19. bedding
    The Best Electric Blankets on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers“This blanket put a spell on me!”
  20. packing and gear
    The Best Toiletry Bags on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers“I look forward to having this bag as my faithful travel companion for many years to come, whether to a nice hotel or a camping trip in the woods.”
  21. year in review
    Strat Haul: This Clear-Plastic Makeup Case Is the Best Thing I Bought in 2017The space-age makeup-storage solution of this writer’s dreams is a reality.
  22. last minute week
    The Best Gifts You Can Have Delivered Same-Day With Amazon Prime NowGifts so good, they’ll never know you ordered them today.
  23. last minute week
    21 Last-minute Gifts You Can Buy on Jet That Will Arrive by ChristmasIncluding an on-sale Sonos speaker, a Jonathan Adler candle, and Ray-Ban sunglasses.
  24. this thing’s incredible
    This $19 Tripod Helps Me Take Photos Like a Semi-Professional PhotographerIt’s cheap, but it reliably keeps my camera in one place for as long as I need it to be there.
  25. holiday gifts 2017
    The Best Gifts to Buy in Bulk on JetSave money on rarely discounted Diptyque candles when you buy multiples.
  26. people’s choice
    The Best Shower Caddies on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers“This is exactly what I needed for the shower.”
  27. expert-approved gifts
    The Best VR Headsets to Buy for Your Kid If You Don’t Want to Spend $599Two tech reviewers weigh in on this year’s best virtual-reality headsets.
  28. what do you want
    10 Professional Santas on the Gifts They Want for the HolidaysWhat’s on Santa’s wish list besides milk and cookies?
  29. recommended by experts
    7 Gifts That Give Back, According to Advocates, Activists, and ArtistsIncluding some “freaking delicious” bread.
  30. cyber monday
    19 of the Best Kitchen and Food Things on Sale for Cyber MondayIncluding a $199 KitchenAid stand mixer and a $75 Instant Pot.
  31. painless shopping
    The Best Disposable (But Still Fancy) Cutlery and Silverware on AmazonIncluding rose-gold plastic forks and biodegradable wooden spoons.
  32. painless shopping
    The 19 Best Disposable (But Still Fancy) Plates You Can Buy on AmazonIncluding plastic plates that look like porcelain, biodegradable plates, and Instagram-worthy paper plates.
  33. thanksgiving
    14 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Essentials to Buy on Amazon NowTake advantage of Amazon Prime two-day shipping by Monday so that gravy boat gets to you before the big day.
  34. what do you want
    Nine 8-Year-Old Boys on the Gifts They Want for the HolidaysIncluding Legos, video games, and a WWE championship belt.
  35. printed matter
    25 Cute, Cheap But Expensive-Looking, and Unique Holiday Cards on AmazonIncluding pop-up Christmas cards, punny holiday greetings, and personalized cards that cost less than a subway ride each.
  36. recommended by experts
    9 Things That Will Help You Fall Asleep, According to a Sleep PsychologistBeyond lavender-scented pillows and white-noise machines.
  37. strat investigates
    7 Gelatin-Free Gummies to Try If You’re Looking for Ethical Gummy BearsVegan and carnauba wax–free, but still delicious candy.
  38. this thing’s incredible
    I Scramble Eggs and Fry Bacon With These Metal ChopsticksGood for eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos without staining your fingers, and for making takeout feel fancy, too.
  39. strat explainer
    What Is Uniquely J From Jet?And what household essentials are worth buying?
  40. recommended by experts
    Turkey-Cooking Tools Every Thanksgiving Cook Needs, According to a Turkey ExpertAdvice from the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line about what kitchen gear you need to roast the perfect turkey.
  41. halloween
    12 Best-Reviewed (and Tasteful) Halloween Decorations on AmazonFrom cat-shaped candles to syringes for Jell-O shots
  42. painless shopping
    The 13 Least-‘Sexy’ Halloween Costumes for Women That You Can Buy on AmazonBecause why does a Princess Leia or nurse costume have to be sexy?
  43. recommended by experts
    Everything to Keep Your (Surprisingly Finicky) Cactus AliveThe expert-recommended pot, soil, fertilizer, and moisture meter for your sensitive succulent.
  44. cool school stuff
    I’ve Become a Stapleless-Japanese-Stapler ConvertIts “staple” is surprisingly secure.
  45. this thing’s incredible
    I Wore This Expensive-looking, Under-$40 Watch on Job InterviewsIt could easily pass for something ten times more expensive.
  46. this thing’s incredible
    The Best Outfit for Uniform Dressing Is This $40 JumpsuitIt’s become my go-to outfit.
  47. this thing’s incredible
    The Best on-the-Go Stain Remover Is Also TSA-ApprovedAccording to a perennially stained human.